The American Legion Oratorical Contest has been created so as to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students.

Since its foundation in 1938, the program acknowledges participants who take an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities.

What the contestants speak about are the following topics: the history of our nation’s laws and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights, and privileges of American citizenship.

Full Description

The program participants will be able to earn the most generous college scholarship available to high school students.

Over $138,000 in scholarships is awarded each year and the American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest winner gets an $18,000 scholarship.

The second place takes home $16,000, and the third gets $14,000.

Each department or state winner who is certified into and participates in the national contest’s first round receives a $1,500 scholarship.

Those who past the first round receive an additional $1,500 scholarship.

The American Legion’s National Organization scholarship can be used at any college or university in the United States.

Who's eligible?

If you are thinking about eligibility, it is significant to know that all high school students under age 20 are eligible and they need to be speaking about the subjects related to some aspect of the U.S. Constitution, with some emphasis on the duties and obligations of citizens to our government.

Speeches should be eight to 10 minutes long.

Furthermore, the eligible participants must be citizens of or lawful permanent residents of the United States.

All contestants must be students who are presently enrolled in a high school or junior high school.

The three finalists of the national contest are ineligible for further participation at any level.

How to Apply

You should get information about the contest at your local school that has the task to provide you with the way how to apply for it.

The same subject and oration used in the department contest must be used in the national contest.

Contestants may have a copy of their prepared oration, but only until they exit to begin the contest.